Another Athlete to Leave Tech Because of Shootings?

Well, it appears Augustus Gilchrist is not the only athlete saying he wants out of a scholarship at Virginia Tech because of last month's shooting spree. Tight end Brandon Barden apparently wants to transfer to Vanderbilt. He lived in the dorm where two students were shot and killed. Barden's mother said her son was having second thoughts about choosing the Hokies over the Commodores - and that the shootings were the impetus to make a switch. Wonder how the NCAA will feel about that as it potentially weighs waiving the one year football and basketball players normally must sit out when transferring.

Personally, I'd like to hear the rationale for leaving before I render an opinion. Just saying the shootings give an impetus is lame. I will agree that I might not want to live in the same room where the students dies, using the dorm location as an excuse is childish and baseless.

The kid should be allowed to leave with no penalty by the NCAA. VT said they would evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis (I can't imagine them forcing a kid to stay). Who are any of us to judge the impact something like that would have on anyone else.